Seems to becoming a trend now - I dunno if it's to do with the focus on other intruments like keyboards and organs that fill the bass part well or the distinct lack of available bassists available. My band is trying to find one at the moment as our former bassist was too committed to his other band and myself and the other two guitarists are sick of taking turns.

We sometimes play with three guitars, drums and no bass and it seems to sound alright, but only on certain types of music. I guess it depends on the genre. One of my bandmates detunes his guitar something chronic to give it a much lower sound to substitute but a bass is still essential methinks. Part of the holy trinity of instruments after all - you can have a three piece band with a guitar, a bass and a set of drums.....

I must say after aquiring the GoldenHorse album I have absolutely loved every minute of listening pleasure. So much so, I almost went out and bought the album with the bonus CD, but a serious lack of funds stopped that idea

P-Money - big things. Bought this a while back - really enjoy it. NZ hip hop is really progressing well. And on that note.

Scribe's new album is out this thursday! Might ahve to get that when I get some cash from summer job.

YouAgain, when I was 16 (in ... err ... 1991) They Might Be Giants' "Flood" and "Lincoln" were two of my favourite albums of all time. Those guys write the most brilliant lyrics. I haven't realy kept up with their newer stuff, but I probably should.

As far as stuff I've heard lately goes, the two best albums I've heard in a long time are "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" and "Digital Ash In A Digital Urn", both by US band Bright Eyes, who supported REM in New Plymouth and Christchurch last week. Really amazing music, great, passionate, angsty lyrics and a really strong political/anti-Bush message. This generations' Bob Dylan? Maybe ...

I have a copy of the forthcoming Goldenhorse album, and it's pretty good, although not quite as immediate as "Rivehead".

bloody posts. I had a huge paragraph written, then when I posted it stuffed up.

I was gutted to hear Mark Knoffler and REM didn't come to auckland; fan of both. Went to Dire Straights back when I was like 5yo, at Mt Smart Stadium.

Was REM good STH?

I'm a bit over GoldenHorse, I loved Riverhead arounnd the end of 2003, but I find myself flicking past their music in itunes and the radio... What's their new stuff like? Different/progressive or same old same old?

REM were great. I think "Around The Sun" is one of their weaker albums (although it's still pretty good by most bands' standards) but the songs from it sounded way better live than on record. I saw them back in '95, and thought they were OK live, but this time they were really spectacular. Plus, the Bowl Of Brooklands is a brilliant venue.

The new Goldenhorse stuff is probably a bit darker and a bit less poppy. It's not like they've gone off in a totally different direction or anything, but it's certainly a progression. As I said, it's not so immediate as "Riverhead", so it might take a few listens.